[1] Planet Forward is inspired by the combined power of user-generated media and the tools of journalism to discover innovations that can change the world.

This initiative challenges the conventional top-down format of traditional media and rewards contributors who are working to solve these problems by exposing them to the public to ignite a competition to find the best ideas to move the planet forward.

Like the webisodes, the Nightly Business Report segments focused on a particular green topic and featured ideas submitted by Planet Forward site members.

On April 17, 2012, Planet Forward and The George Washington University's Office of Sustainably hosted a "Turning Innovation into Action" symposium.

The half-day conference highlighted "Innovation Challenges" offered by participants to demonstrate their commitment to moving the planet forward.

Panelists included Former Chief Technology Officer of the United States, Aneesh Chopra, then-Mayor of the District of Columbia, Vincent C. Gray and Vice President of GE Ecomagination, Mark Vachon.

It kicked off with the project's inaugural Feeding the Planet summit where CEOs, farmers, college students and policy makers met to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sustainable food sector.

The team presented their work during the Latin American & Hemispheric Studies Capstone Symposium at the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.

Planet Forward has a well-founded social media campaign, with active Twitter[11] and Facebook accounts which are updated daily.

Hosted by creator Frank Sesno, the original pilot television special featured a panel style discussion that addressed the question: can we move rapidly away from fossil fuels in the near future?.

Those who submitted the most engaging and thought provoking ideas were selected to appear before Carol Browner, the senior advisory to President Barack Obama on Energy and Climate Change.

Planet Forward members could submit their energy innovation ideas online to business leaders, politicians, journalists and experts in the climate and energy industry at a live town hall meeting at The George Washington University's Jack Morton Auditorium for a chance to be featured on The Weather Channel.

[21] Planet Forward airs news broadcasts of these research projects on public television as a program that is actively involved with the community.